Canadian Tire and Jumpstart partner with Santa Claus parade for Red Nose fundraising campaign

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities today announced a partnership with The Santa Claus Parade for the 2012 Red Nose program. Through the program, select Canadian Tire stores across the Toronto area will sell red noses with proceeds going to Jumpstart and The Santa Claus Parade.

Red noses will be sold in 30 Toronto area Canadian Tire stores. Noses will be sold for $2 each, with proceeds evenly split between Jumpstart and The Santa Claus Parade. Customers can purchase the red noses from November 1 through November 18. Red noses will also be available for purchase from the Air Cadets on the day of the Parade, November 18.

"This is the first time Jumpstart has partnered with The Santa Claus Parade and we are excited to increase the number of children that Jumpstart can help through this campaign," said Landon French, Vice-President, Community Relations, Canadian Tire Corporation. "Torontonians and the millions of Canadians who watch the broadcast on television look forward to this parade every year and we hope kids, and kids-at-heart, show their holiday spirit and purchase a red nose in support of this important cause."

Sunday, November 18 is the 108^th Annual Santa Claus Parade and for the second year, Canadian Tire's float will host the first lady of the North, Mrs. Claus. The float will also showcase Mr. And Mrs. Claus' North Pole home and will host a number of Santa's elves. This will be the 30^th year Canadian Tire has been a sponsor of The Santa Claus Parade.

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC, TSX:CTC.a) is one of Canada's most-shopped general retailers and the country's largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast. Our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Sports, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as Canadian Tire home services, credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance. Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands.

ABOUT CANADIAN TIRE JUMPSTART CHARITIES
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sport and recreation by covering registration, equipment and/or transportation costs. Since 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped give more than 500,000 Canadian kids the chance to play and the momentum is stronger than ever. To lend your support, visit Canadian Tire Jumpstart at jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

ABOUT THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE
The Santa Claus Parade is the largest children's parade in North America and largest outdoor entertainment event held in Canada every year. More information on the parade, including even more exciting Parade details, can be found at www.thesantaclausparade.com.

SOURCE: CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED